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Horse Camping

Bring your horse and discover North Dakota’s scenic beauty.

Horse lovers know that in most regions their options are limited to arena riding, trail rides or some limited variation thereof. But for those with horses of their own, a sense of adventure and a horse trailer, the enormous horizons and miles of wild trails in North Dakota are waiting. Some of the best options for fresh vistas with horse-friendly campsites and adventures include:

Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Visitors can explore North Dakota’s Badlands just as Theodore Roosevelt did, on horseback. The South Unit features 80+ miles of marked horse trails and even more unmarked trails. Riders are permitted in nearly all areas of the park and backcountry horse camping is allowed. www.nps.gov/thro, (701) 623-4466

Maah Daah Hey Trail: More than 100 miles of trail within and outside of the national park is jointly managed by the US Forest Service, (701) 225-5151; The National Park Service, (701) 623-4466; and the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department; (701) 328-5357, www.fs.fed.us/r1/dakotaprairie/mdhtl.htm

Sully Creek State Park: The park provides horse corrals at its primitive camping facilities and all trails connect with the stunning Little Missouri National Grassland. (701) 764-5256, http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/scsp/scsp.html

Little Missouri State Park: This 6,000-acre park, roaming with wildlife and wild flowers (in spring especially), is accessible primarily on horseback or foot. The park provides corrals for those bringing in their own mounts. Guided tours and horse rentals are available. (701) 794-3731, http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/lmosp/lmosp.html

Out-of-state horses must have a current health and negative Coggins certificates issued by their veterinarians. All feed used in state parks and national grasslands must be certified noxious weed-seed-free.